Question
The Great Pyramid was built around 2560 BCE during the reign of the Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu. It is constructed of more than two million stone blocks, each weighing over two tons. It is 756 feet long on each side; nearly ten football fields could fit within its base! The sides of the Great Pyramid line up perfectly with the four points of the compass, and no side is more than eight inches longer or shorter than any other. It is also an incredible 481 feet tall. In fact, it remained the tallest structure in the world for nearly 4,000 years! Clearly, the Great Pyramid is an amazing work of architecture. In fact, some people think that it is too amazing to have been built by human hands! Instead, they claim that each of the Pyramids of Giza was constructed by aliens from other worlds.
The alien theory rests on the notion that the ancient Egyptians were very primitive people. After all, they lived thousands of years ago. However, the evidence that the Egyptians left behind tells us a different story. Without a doubt, they were far from simple. In fact, long before the pyramids were constructed, they had created an organized society. An archaeological dig in 2008 revealed that ancient Egyptians had a well-developed agricultural system by 5200 BCE. That’s over 2,000 years before the first pyramid! The uncovered evidence included clay floors and hearths, as well as a variety of grains. The remains of domesticated sheep, goats, and pigs were also found among the ruins.
By the time the pyramids were constructed, the Egyptians had a writing system and studied mathematics and astronomy. In addition, they used the earliest forms of paper and ink, as well as tools made of metal and gems. So, while they lived a very long time ago, clearly the ancient Egyptians were not “primitive.”
However, those who believe in alien builders point to the fact that, among the archeological discoveries, no blueprints of the pyramids have ever been found. While it is true that pyramid plans have never been located, archeologists have recently unearthed the tombs of the workers who built them. They have also discovered a great number of bakery sites near the Great Pyramid. There are so many, in fact, that they would have been able to provide food for thousands of people every day. Coincidentally, that is how many workers the Great Pyramid’s construction would have required. Finally, some say that it would have been physically impossible for the Egyptians to build the pyramids. They insist that cutting and moving those two-ton stones required alien technology. Actually, this is not the case. In fact, there is plenty of archaeological evidence showing that human men worked together to get the job done without alien help. For example, nearby rock quarries still show the deep cuts made by human hands. Bits of copper chisels and saws made of hard gemstones have also been found. All of these pieces have helped archeologists understand the pyramid construction process.
Constructing the Pyramids
To create the large building blocks, a group of about 60 men pounded the outline of the rock slab. Then, several men sawed slots into the trenches made by all that pounding. These slots were then filled with wooden pegs and soaked with water. The water expanded the pegs, and then—presto!—the slab split free from the rock bed.
Next, the slabs were placed on sleds and pulled to the building site. To make this process easier, men most likely poured oil on the roadway. Archeologists learned of this method from a scene painted on the walls of a tomb dating back to 1900 BCE. The mural shows 173 men using ropes and a sled to pull a large statue, while a man standing on the front of the sled pours oil onto the road.
This image from an ancient Egyptian tomb shows how the workers moved heavy objects.
This image from an ancient Egyptian tomb shows how the workers moved heavy objects.
Once at the pyramid site, the layers of blocks were probably added by using ramps of dirt or wood placed along the sides of the structure. These ramps would have been cleared away when the project was finished. In fact, one pyramid called the Meidum still shows traces of a steep ramp that was once attached to its outer walls.
So, while the evidence clearly points to human pyramid builders, those who favored the alien theory need not be disappointed. After all, it was human beings with the same kind of terrific imaginations who created marvels like the Great Pyramid. And truly, that is far more extraordinary than extraterrestrials! Read "Who Built the Pyramids?”
The alien theory rests on the notion that the ancient Egyptians were very primitive people. After all, they lived thousands of years ago. However, the evidence that the Egyptians left behind tells us a different story. Without a doubt, they were far from simple. In fact, long before the pyramids were constructed, they had created an organized society. An archaeological dig in 2008 revealed that ancient Egyptians had a well-developed agricultural system by 5200 BCE. That’s over 2,000 years before the first pyramid! The uncovered evidence included clay floors and hearths, as well as a variety of grains. The remains of domesticated sheep, goats, and pigs were also found among the ruins.
By the time the pyramids were constructed, the Egyptians had a writing system and studied mathematics and astronomy. In addition, they used the earliest forms of paper and ink, as well as tools made of metal and gems. So, while they lived a very long time ago, clearly the ancient Egyptians were not “primitive.”
However, those who believe in alien builders point to the fact that, among the archeological discoveries, no blueprints of the pyramids have ever been found. While it is true that pyramid plans have never been located, archeologists have recently unearthed the tombs of the workers who built them. They have also discovered a great number of bakery sites near the Great Pyramid. There are so many, in fact, that they would have been able to provide food for thousands of people every day. Coincidentally, that is how many workers the Great Pyramid’s construction would have required. Finally, some say that it would have been physically impossible for the Egyptians to build the pyramids. They insist that cutting and moving those two-ton stones required alien technology. Actually, this is not the case. In fact, there is plenty of archaeological evidence showing that human men worked together to get the job done without alien help. For example, nearby rock quarries still show the deep cuts made by human hands. Bits of copper chisels and saws made of hard gemstones have also been found. All of these pieces have helped archeologists understand the pyramid construction process.
Constructing the Pyramids
To create the large building blocks, a group of about 60 men pounded the outline of the rock slab. Then, several men sawed slots into the trenches made by all that pounding. These slots were then filled with wooden pegs and soaked with water. The water expanded the pegs, and then—presto!—the slab split free from the rock bed.
Next, the slabs were placed on sleds and pulled to the building site. To make this process easier, men most likely poured oil on the roadway. Archeologists learned of this method from a scene painted on the walls of a tomb dating back to 1900 BCE. The mural shows 173 men using ropes and a sled to pull a large statue, while a man standing on the front of the sled pours oil onto the road.
This image from an ancient Egyptian tomb shows how the workers moved heavy objects.
This image from an ancient Egyptian tomb shows how the workers moved heavy objects.
Once at the pyramid site, the layers of blocks were probably added by using ramps of dirt or wood placed along the sides of the structure. These ramps would have been cleared away when the project was finished. In fact, one pyramid called the Meidum still shows traces of a steep ramp that was once attached to its outer walls.
So, while the evidence clearly points to human pyramid builders, those who favored the alien theory need not be disappointed. After all, it was human beings with the same kind of terrific imaginations who created marvels like the Great Pyramid. And truly, that is far more extraordinary than extraterrestrials! Read "Who Built the Pyramids?”
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza, built around 2560 BCE during Pharaoh Khufu's reign, stands as an incredible testament to human ingenuity and organization. Contrary to theories suggesting extraterrestrial involvement, evidence indicates that the ancient Egyptians were a highly sophisticated society with advanced agricultural, mathematical, and astronomical knowledge.
The construction process involved numerous laborers and intricate techniques. Archaeological findings have uncovered worker tombs and bakery sites near the pyramid, revealing that thousands of workers were fed daily—corresponding to the number needed for the pyramid's construction. Stone blocks were created by pounding the rock and using wooden pegs soaked in water to split the slabs, which were then moved on sleds, likely aided by oil to reduce friction.
Ramps of dirt or wood were utilized to position the heavy blocks higher on the pyramid. The physical evidence from quarry marks, tools, and even artwork depicting the construction methods supports the conclusion that human effort, skill, and cooperation were responsible for this architectural marvel.
In summary, while the alien theory suggests an unlikely explanation for the Great Pyramid's creation, the archaeological record showcases the remarkable capabilities of ancient Egyptians, making their achievements even more impressive. The legacy of the Great Pyramid remains a celebration of human creativity and collaboration rather than extraterrestrial intervention.
The construction process involved numerous laborers and intricate techniques. Archaeological findings have uncovered worker tombs and bakery sites near the pyramid, revealing that thousands of workers were fed daily—corresponding to the number needed for the pyramid's construction. Stone blocks were created by pounding the rock and using wooden pegs soaked in water to split the slabs, which were then moved on sleds, likely aided by oil to reduce friction.
Ramps of dirt or wood were utilized to position the heavy blocks higher on the pyramid. The physical evidence from quarry marks, tools, and even artwork depicting the construction methods supports the conclusion that human effort, skill, and cooperation were responsible for this architectural marvel.
In summary, while the alien theory suggests an unlikely explanation for the Great Pyramid's creation, the archaeological record showcases the remarkable capabilities of ancient Egyptians, making their achievements even more impressive. The legacy of the Great Pyramid remains a celebration of human creativity and collaboration rather than extraterrestrial intervention.